KitchenAid KCM511ER 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Empire Red

by KitchenAid

Product Features

• Programmable 10-cup coffeemaker features wrap-around housing and front-fill water reservoir
• Flat-bottom brew basket; JavaSpa showerhead for even coffee extraction; permanent water filter
• 1100-watt heat pump; electronic temperature control; brew pause; "time since brew" display; auto shutoff
• Clean Touch control pad; dishwasher-safe glass carafe, coffee scoop, and paper filters included
• Measures 14 by 14 by 8-1/2 inches; 1-year hassle-free replacement warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.2 x 13.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002Y5XKQ
• Item model number: KCM511ER
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,069 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

KitchenAid Model KCM511 JavaStudio TM 10 Cup Coffee Maker brews exceptionally rich and flavorful coffee. This model features an extra-wide JavaSpa TM Showerhead to soak the flat-bottom brew basket evenly with hot water, ensuring uniform coffee extraction and outstanding flavor. Sophisticated Electronic Temperature Control directly monitors the powerful 1100-Watt Heat pump to brew - and keep - coffee at optimal temperatures. Other features include a 10-Cup dishwasher-safe glass carafe, convenient front-fill water reservoir, Ion-Exchange water filter, Pause and Pour feature, Elegant and Easy-to-Clean design, Digital brew timer and clock, Automatic shutoff, cord storage compartment, and a Hassle-free replacement warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is a very poor coffeemaker, July 17, 2005

By 

C. Nichols "average consumer" (Central Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: KitchenAid KCM511ER 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Empire Red (Kitchen)

I got this coffeemaker (in black) as a replacement for a recalled Kitchenaid 12-cup (cobalt blue) that I absolutely loved and that made a fantastic cup of coffee.

It's sleek and modern and looks good on the counter, and it even has easy to use controls, but this coffeemaker is junk. I've had this unit for about 2 months and brew coffee in it every morning. I usually brew a full 10 cups and as often as not, even though I am careful to scoop the coffee into the filter, large amounts of coffee grounds overflow the filter and wind up in the caraffe and then into my coffee cup. It's as if the water boiler is forcing water out too strongly, overfilling the brew basket and then coffee grounds go everywhere.

Similarly, on a fairly regular basis, the coffeemaker leaks brewed coffee. What usually happens is the unit alarms/signals that brewing is complete but then continues to gurgle and spurt for about 5 minutes. If I remove the caraffe during the 5-minute gurgling period, even for just a second to pour myself a ground-filled cup of coffee, coffee still in the maker somehow runs down the inside of the unit and pools on the counter under the maker; when I replace the carafee, coffee runs down the unit's caraffe chamber and pools under the caraffe on the hot plate. Then I get to smell burning coffee as I savor the ground-filled java in my cup, all the while worrying that I don't electrocute myself.

I never once had an issue with the 12-cup model which was recalled because it could overheat and was a fire hazard. Ironically, I feel much less safe and satisfied using this 10-cup model Kitchenaid sent as a replacement. I'm with the other reviewer - just reattach my the cord to my old unit and I promise I'll keep a fire extinguisher handy!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very fine coffee maker, but...., January 19, 2007

By 

Eric J. McClellan "JT Williams Fan" (Youngstown, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This is an excellent coffee maker in almost every way. The design is so well thought out from the wrap around design to protect and keep the carafe warm to the reservoir trough that runs from the front of the unit to the back for easy filling. It heats the water to the optimal temperature for a great cup of coffee and has all of the "bells and whistles" such as pause and brew and a timer for making coffee to wake up to.
There are two reasons that I took away a star; one miner and one major.
The minor is that you can't set the amount of time that the warmer keeps the coffee warm. It only works for 90 minutes. My former coffee maker allowed me to set the warmer for up to 4 hours.
The major one is that Kitchen Aid no longer makes the water filter cartridges for this model!!! When you call them, they inform you that not using the filter option doesn't affect the operation of the coffee maker and they offer no apologies. Part of the reason I purchased this machine is because of the filter and now I can't use this feature. I was VERY unhappy about having paid for a feature I can't use. What makes me even angrier is that they STILL mention the water filter in their advertising!
In summary, great coffee maker if you don't need water filter and don't mind paying for the feature you won't be able to use.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best coffee maker I've ever owned, July 21, 2006

By 

Picky coffee drinker "Jo" (Portland, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: KitchenAid KCM511ER 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Empire Red (Kitchen)

I'm glad I bought it before I read these reviews - mine has NO problems with spills, no grounds in the coffee, no error messages (if you see an error message, I suggest you exchange it for another of the same model - it's probably a quality control issue). It definitely gets 5 stars - just read the instructions, don't use both filters at once, and watch where you pour the water. What I like: 1. The water filter really works - it makes a superb tasting cup of coffee - the difference is noticeable. 2. The coffee is really HOT and stays hot, unlike the Black & Decker I had with the insulated carafe (kept it warm for hours but hot for only a few minutes). 3. The 1-4 cup brew option takes the guesswork out of brewing a partial pot. 4. The split lid! A real advantage since all my counter space has standard height overhead cabinets. Not only can I open the top while it's under the cabinet, I can remove and replace the basket and even pour the water in, although I can't use the carafe for this - I use a 2-quart juice jar on which I've drawn a line to mark the correct water level (much easier than moving the whole thing around every time I use it). 4. The controls - intuitive, well placed, spill proof, and the clock has a red LED so you can actually read it. And overall, the design is elegant and compact.